Pleasanton City Council Reviews Results Of Potable Reuse Study

From The City of Pleasanton: The City Council reviewed the results from a joint study regarding the feasibility of potable reuse in the Tri-Valley region to improve the reliability of overall water supply during periods of extreme drought. The presentation gave the Council and the public the opportunity to review study results, ask questions of the consultants who performed the study, and offer additional input for further consideration. Though no formal vote to approve a system was taken, the Council did vote unanimously to continue to explore potable reuse technologies and receive periodic updates.

“The City of Pleasanton recognizes the need to plan for the future and explore the latest technologies that can help us weather any subsequent extreme drought situation,” said Pleasanton City Manager Nelson Fialho, adding “and we will be thorough and deliberative throughout this process and look forward to learning more as we move forward.”

In 2016, the Tri-Valley Water Agencies, comprising Zone 7 Water Agency, Dublin San Ramon Services District, California Water Service, and the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton, commissioned a study to evaluate the feasibility of potable reuse as a strategy for diversifying the regional water supply and having a more reliable source of water during periods of extreme drought or other existing water supply limitations.

Potable reuse is recycled water that has been purified such that it can be reused to augment water supply. Potable reuse has been used successfully by other California agencies for the past 30 years to augment water supply, but the 2014 drought jumpstarted the conversation in the Tri-Valley area.

The Tri-Valley Agencies Potable Reuse Feasibility Study, conducted by Carollo Engineers, evaluated two end-use options for potable reuse, both of which require an advanced water purification facility and treatment technologies that differ based on the process used.

California first adopted regulations for groundwater augmentation with recycled water in 1978. These requirements were further updated by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in 2014 reflecting research and technological advances that allowed for improved regulation for the protection of public health. Following the 2014 transfer of the State’s Drinking Water Program from CDPH to the State Water Resources Control Board (Board), the Board has developed a framework for the adoption of future regulations for additional forms of potable reuse.

Though other options to expand the regional water supply do exist, including the California WaterFix (a water delivery upgrade involving tunnels for State and Federal water projects), and desalination, they are beyond the scope of this current feasibility study.

At last night’s Council meeting, the consultants summarized their findings and concluded that potable reuse is feasible in the Tri-Valley, could supplement water supplies by 5,500 to 10,000 acre- feet per year, and could cost water customers approximately $15 dollars more a month on their water bill. However, additional technical studies and evaluation of the region’s water supply will better determine costs and needed supply during periods of extreme drought at buildout, which the Council voted to support.

Here is a link to the full report: Tri-Valley Agencies Joint Tri-Valley Potable Reuse Technical Feasibility Study Follow us on Twitter @Pleasanton and Facebook www.facebook.com/CityofPleasan...

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